Which scores more in cricket, a six or a four?
How boundaries are scored
A four is awarded when the ball reaches the boundary after touching the ground. A six is awarded when the ball clears the boundary in the air. Both add to the batting team's total, and the batter gets credit in the scorebook.
Runs taken by running between the wickets are scored separately from boundaries. Scorers log each boundary in the batter's record and add it to the team's running total.
- A four is a ball that reaches the rope after touching the ground.
- A six is a ball that clears the rope without touching the ground.
- Running between the wickets is recorded separately from boundaries.
- Overthrows can add runs, and those are handled separately as well.
Why the difference matters
Sixes change a match's pace and are often used in limited-overs games to build a total quickly. Fielders can also stop a ball on the rope to save runs, which changes what gets counted.
Boundary rules can vary by competition, especially when a boundary is marked with a rope or a line on the ground. Check the match rules for any unusual ground.
Players and commentators often describe a six as the bigger hit because it needs more power to clear the rope in the air. The scoring rule itself is simple, though, and each boundary is still recorded the same way in the book.
Common mistakes
- Calling a ball a six when it bounced before crossing the rope.
- Adding boundary runs and runs actually run into the same total.
- Assuming boundary rules are identical in every cricket competition.
